December 2017

8208 Brownleigh Drive

Raleigh, NC 27617

www.upucc.org

Dec. 3- 1st Sunday of Advent “Hope: Our Best Selves Emerging” Communion

Dec. 9- Date Night, page three

Dec. 10- 2nd Sunday of Advent: Peace Children’s Program I Will Play My Part

Dec. 16- Black Nativity, JTP’s annual production begins. See page 10 for schedule.

Dec. 17- 3rd Sunday of Advent “A Well of Great Joy” 5:30 pm Healing Transitions Caroling, page 10

Dec. 24- 4th Sunday of Advent “Perfect Love Casts Out Fear” 5 p.m. Christmas Eve Carols & Candlelight

High Spots & Highlights

This page features high spots from this past month and highlights of the month ahead!

November High Spots

LGBTQ Event- see page seven Heifer Project- see page five

Sanctuary- see page six

December Highlights See last page of this newsletter for full calendar

Stewardship- see page six

“In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered… And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no

place for them in the inn.” Luke 2: 1,7 NRSV

Each Advent and Christmas season we return to the timeless story, timeless because its spiritual elements are as fundamental and true as those of the Periodic Table. Each Advent and Christmas season, different elements emerge for us, shedding light from the past on our present lives. What light do you seek? What light do you see? …and how will we use this season of preparation to welcome the truths of God anew and more deeply into our lives?

-The words of the prophets: the wolf at peace with the lamb, a little child leading

-A young pregnant woman (and all the fear and joy that lives therein) -Listening for the Divine voice (within US) “Hope: Our Best Selves Emerging” -A couple on a journey (a relationship surely as complex as our own are) -A nod to the Empire ignored (Registering for a tax but that’s not the real story!) -Lowliness empowered (a Divine decree shattering Worldly decrees) -No Room in the Inn (How about our hearts? How about our homes?!) -“Peace at the Door” -Joy breaking into darkness (Can it be true? Joy permeates the Heavens surrounding us?) -Fearful Kings (Herod was a 1st century, narcissistic, paranoid puppet of a potentate.) -Borders: Fleeing to find refuge in another country -The Purity, the Beauty, and the Hope of a new-born child -“Perfect Love Casts Out Fear”

What light do you seek? What light do you see? This is an invitation to us all… to come walk with each other during this Advent season. It is a new year. May we live it deeply resolved to hear and respond passionately to the timeless story as it emerges ever new in our lives today.

Doug P.S. 1 The Advent Meditations Booklet this year focuses on ‘Sanctuary.’ You’ll find copies at the back of the worship space. (Great thanks to Eleanor Smith for her many hours of work producing this.) P.S. 2 …and speaking of sanctuary… A love offering for Eliseo and the Jimenez family is being collected through the end of the year. Since Eliseo is the primary bread-winner and he has been unable to work the last four months due to his deportation date, the family is under a huge amount of financial stress. Though we are not committed to assisting them financially, many of you have asked if we could do so. (Not to mention that Eliseo fills much of his days finding and accomplishing odd jobs around the church!) Feel free to use one of the green envelopes at the back of the worship space for this purpose… or designate a contribution on your check. (Questions? Contact Gary Sanders or Doug Long.)

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Youth Tacky Christmas Party!

Dec 17, 4-8pm

Youth Dungeon

Dress in your ugliest Christmas attire, bring a $5 white elephant gift to exchange, and a side dish or dessert to share! We’ll do Christmas (and Caroling?). Cost: $125 RSVP to Anne

Youth Ministry Presents

UPUCC Date Night!! When: Saturday, December 9, 4-8 p.m. What: Youth and Adults will hang out with your kids while you frolic off in the sunset for a few hours of kid-free dining, shopping, or whatever your heart desires. We’ll entertain them with Christmas crafts, games and a movie. We’ll even give them pizza at 5 p.m.! Who: Kids ages 18 months - 10 years old Why: Because we love you (and because we are hoping for monetary donation for Youth Ministry!) RSVP to Anne@upucc.org

Tell your friends- the more the merrier!

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Children’s Christmas Program

The stage will be set, the costumes are pressed and hung, and the children are learning their parts and song! Come join us for worship on December 10, to share in the joy of our Children’s Christmas Program, I Will Play My Part.

Creativity Group

Thank you for your continued support of our card ministries. This season we filled bulk orders for 617 Christmas

cards. In December we will have one-of-a-kind Christmas cards; they are great to use for teachers, coaches,

mailpersons, beauticians, etc. We also have cards for many other occasions. All cards are offered for donations

only; donations through December will be added to our collection for UCC Disaster Relief. Please stop by our

table, which will be out again in early December.

Again this year our Healing Transitions ladies decorated the gift tags for the church Angel Tree during our

November visit with them. -Marcia Welsh

A Moment of Thanks and FYI

Taking a moment to express gratitude for:

our volunteer teachers and assistants in classrooms and nursery, who continue to step forward and nurture those youngest among us.

all the support shown for our children and youth as they endeavor to be the church through their mission projects and their witness at UPUCC.

Schedule for Christmas Eve and New Years Eve Morning Worship:

We will give our teachers a break and have children remain in worship. Activities will be provided via our worship cart. Nursery will be staffed for these morning worship services.

During our 5 p.m. Christmas Eve Service of Lessons Candles and Carols, the nursery will not be staffed but will be available to parents.

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2017 Healing Transitions Toy Drive Last month we announced our annual toy drive to benefit the children of Healing Transitions clients. If you took one of

the tags representing a child, please don’t forget to bring that gift in by December 10th. Return your UNWRAPPED gift

with the tag attached and place it under the tree in the atrium.

Remember – the unwrapped aspect is the key. This gives the mothers the opportunity to pick out the gift they want for

their child and wrap it themselves. We are appreciative of the members of the UPUCC Creativity Group, who worked

with the mothers at Healing Transitions to create this year’s tags.

Toy Drive Gift Ideas Ages 5-6: Dinosaur figures, excavation kit, racetrack, princess doll, Playmobile, dress-up clothes/play jewelry, Legos, board games, books. Ages 7-8: Barbie, Apples to Apples game, Boggle game, beads, sleeping pets, toy trucks, stuffed animals, dolls, friendship bracelet kits, action figures, Matchbox cars. Ages 11-13: Video games, football, basketball, soccer ball, model cars, remote control cars, makeup kits, jewelry, hair accessories, manicure/pedicure kits, Young Adult books. Ages 14-18: Books, bocce ball set, football, basketball, soccer ball, video games, scrapbooking items, bath & shower sets, jewelry, gift cards (Target, iTunes, etc.)

The Christmas Fund Special Offering

The Christmas Fund is a special mission offering of the United Church of Christ

that provides financial assistance to retired and active UCC authorized ministers

and lay employees and their surviving spouse – including pension and health

premium supplementation, emergency assistance, and Christmas thank-you checks.

UCC congregations throughout the nation have a special collection to support the

Christmas Fund on the Sunday before Christmas. UPUCC will participate in this

initiative, and contribution envelopes will be available in the worship space

beginning December 10, 2017.

Thank you to all who supported our Heifer Project. Special thanks go to

the children, whose enthusiasm and energy with their Heifer parade and

their morning announcements made a big difference, and to the youth

for their contributions and help with the bake sale. Here are the

numbers!

The order forms for specific items (ranging from Women’s

Empowerment to shares of a Heifer) collected $900.

In addition, the bake sale raised $285, and the animal banks raised $465.

(The winning animal this year was the cow, at $96.30, followed by the

sheep, $72.46, and the pig, at $65.91.)

An anonymous donor more than ‘matched’ by contributing $500 to the animal banks. With this $1250, we will

order: 1 share of tree seedlings; 2 shares of rabbits; 1 share of fish; 1 Hive of Honeybees; 1 share of a goat; 2 flocks of chickens; 5 shares of a pig; 6 shares of a sheep and 2 whole Heifers!

Heifer Project Totals $2150!

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Wrapping up the year, financially speaking. It is December, and the year is rapidly coming to a close. A giving statement updated with donations through

November will be sent to everyone via email during the week of December 4 to let you know where you stand

for the year (FYI, these statements will come from "Umstead Park United Church of Christ," email

address: notifications@onrealmmail.org). Just a few weeks left to complete your pledged donations; don't miss

out on the 2017 tax savings! We can accept checks that are dated and postmarked by December 31 and online

donations at http://upucc.org/donate also until December 31, but cannot accept post-dated contributions

January 1 or after. Thanks for your gifts this year! We appreciate all that you do for the church! Merry Christmas

and Happy New Year!

December Forums- All are welcome!

9:30 a.m. December 3: "What Does Your Faith Mean to You?” led by Tricia Andrews.

Following worship December 10: Taylor Anderton from Carolina Donor Services will be talking about Organ and Tissue donation. Tricia Andrews hosting.

9:30 a.m. December 17: Covenant Partner Beth Mastick

shares her Faith Journey. Gail Holden hosting.

Childcare is provided in the nursery during forums.

Forums will not be held during the Christmas Eve and New Years Eve weekends.

We could easily devote much of this month's newsletter to the "Sanctuary" ministry at UPUCC. So many lives

have been connected through this effort we can't begin to keep up with it all. For example...

Did you know:

-that not one but three different thanksgiving celebrations occurred at UPUCC with the Jimenez family? (Did

you see the piece on CBS in that regard? http://wncn.com/2017/11/24/raleigh-church-hosts-thanksgiving-

dinner-for-immigrant-its-protecting-from-ice/

-that groups from Pullen Memorial and Binkley Baptist have met with UPUCC sanctuary volunteers and Eliseo

about the possibility of offering sanctuary in their churches as well?

-that Gary Welsh has begun assisting Eliseo to achieve his GED?

-that on Nov. 20, more than 1000 volunteer hours had been logged by those hosting the Jimenez family (and

that doesn't even factor in all the hours donated by 'Helpers' with meals, laundry, shopping, etc.)?

-that Nicki Norris and Anthony Neff led the way in 'hosting hours' at that Nov. 20 point?

-that Yonat Shimron published an excellent summary of sanctuary here and more broadly at

http://religionnews.com/2017/11/28/resisting-trump-churches-give-sanctuary-to-immigrants-facing-

deportation/

-that a PBS NewsHour piece has yet to be released? (Stay tuned. We'll let you know if we get wind of when that

will happen.)

-that page nine of this newsletter lists several ways you can advocate to support the Jimenez family?

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Congratulations~

New Babies Born in November

New Covenant Partner!

Long time friend of UPUCC, Beth

Mastick, became a Covenant Partner

on November 26.

Beth and her son have been part of

UPUCC since Tom (Beth’s late

husband and her son’s father) joined

in 2004.

We will hope to share more about

Beth in an upcoming newsletter.

A note of thanks: I wanted to say first, how wonderful it is to

belong to such an open hearted and loving congregation that holds

such a loving event as the LGBTQ Informational Workshop Day

November 4. You are just downright good people and I thank

you all for your support of this event. There’s a few folks I need to

mention outright and first is Tricia Andrews, Chair of the Adult Ed

Committee. I thank Tricia for her help in obtaining presenters and

for her putting up with my almost daily emails since July in

discussing this event, helping me to think through details and stay

on track! To the other Adult Ed Committee Members, Colin McKerrell, David VandeVusse, Gail Holden and Michelle

Ellis for their ideas, their energy and being in the trenches in the planning and execution. David and Colin were also part of

our amazing panel of presenters in addition to our own Todd Smith, Sally Bean, Justine and TJ Price O’Neil, Sandy Ceppos,

Steve Zetts, Jeff Holland, and Jen Tharrington, along with the other wonderful presenters who came from outside our

congregation to make this a wonderful day. Thank you for being vulnerable and brave in sharing your personal journeys,

which meant so much to those who heard your presentations and to Jen for sharing her expertise with us. Thank you to all

of you who supported this event by either helping set up Friday night, bringing snacks and drinks for attendees, attending,

helping put the church back together afterwards. sending much needed encouragement through emails and for your loving

prayers-it couldn’t have been done without you! We appreciate Michael Lester and Hope Kiser for warmly welcoming our

attendees. A big thanks to Eliseo who helped wherever and whenever needed for whatever! I want to thank Doug Long

and Doug Jones-without their divine vision and bravery there would be no UPUCC, which would be a huge loss to the

Raleigh area community, and for creating a type of space where ideas can turn into action. And last but not least, I would

like to thank my husband and best friend-Nick Kentopp for his encouragement and strength when I become overwhelmed

and thinking what have I gotten myself into it?!? And for being so generous of his time and wallet. As always, there is no

me without you. Again, thank you all and let’s start planning next year’s event! -Gina Kentopp

Megan & Nik Everett and family

Sarah Sydney & Jim Gattis and family

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December 3

Altar Prep: Eleanor Smith

Communion Prep: Lori Del Negro and Roger Sommer

Coffee Set-Up: Elaina and Robert Richardson

Greeters: Learla, Robert & Vienna Stefanics

Ushers: Sally Bean & Todd Smith

Sound System: Frank McKay

Auditor: Julie Schumacher

Assistant Treasurer: Chris Ousley

Clean-Team: Edward McFarland, Tracy Denson,

Linda Hébert, Mark and Melanie Stevens

December 10

Altar Prep: Leslie Heavey

Coffee Set-Up: Roberta Ouellette

Greeters: Marianne Drexler, Ada McKerrell

Ushers: Gail & Jeff Holden

Sound System: Peter van Dorsten

Auditor: Gwen Vass

Assistant Treasurer: Lee Harrison

Clean-Team: Marcia Welsh, Mary Pat Peters,

Eliseo Jimenez

December 17

Altar Prep: Eleanor Smith

Coffee Set-Up: Leslie Heavey

Greeters: Learla, Robert & Vienna Stefanics

Ushers: TBD

Sound System: Frank McKay

Auditor: Leslie Heavey

Assistant Treasurer: Dan Harrell

Clean-Team: Tim Champion & Dan Harrell, Chris

Ousley, Ada & Colin McKerrell

December 24 - 10:30 a.m.

Altar Prep: Michael Lester

Coffee Set-Up: Miles Schumacher

Greeters: Ada & Colin McKerrell

Ushers: Julie & Miles Schumacher

Sound System: Don Alderman

Auditor: Tim Champion

Assistant Treasurer: Dan Harrell

Clean-Team: Nevin & Carol Fouts, Scott Pope,

Janice Odom & Doug Long

December 24 - 5 p.m.

Ushers: Julie & Miles Schumacher

Sound System: Peter van Dorsten

Auditor: Betty Gatano

Assistant Treasurer: Chris Ousley

December 31

Altar Prep: Michael Lester

Coffee Set-Up: TBD

Greeters: Nick & Gina Kentopp

Ushers: TBD

Sound System: TBD

Auditor: TBD

Assistant Treasurer: TBD

Clean-Team: Marcia Welsh, Mary Pat Peters,

Eliseo Jimenez

Care to Give of Your Time

to UPUCC?

There is an on-going need for

Sunday Volunteers! Please

consider giving an hour or two

a month to our church.

The following links contain schedules and

attachments which explain the tasks for

the respective volunteer positions.

Automatic reminders will come via email.

Thanks for considering how you can help!

Coffee Preparation here

Communion Preparation here

Sound System Set Up here

Ushers here

P.S. Thanks to Julie Schumacher for gathering and setting

up all the forms and data!

Your Voice Matters! A few quick actions we ask that you take to advocate in support of Eliseo and his family:

Sign Eliseo’s online petition to ICE, DHS, and elected officials:

http://dreamactivist.org/sanctuary/eliseo

Share Eliseo’s petition on social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter

Please use hashtags: #KeepEliseoHome #EstamosConEliseo

Call US Senators Thom Tillis and Richard Burr to voice your support for Eliseo and encourage them to inter-

vene in his case. We ask that those who live in Representative Price’s district (4th Congressional District)

call him as well.

Suggested Script:

Hello, my name is _____________ and I am a member of Umstead Park United Church of Christ in Raleigh and also

a constituent of Senator (Name of Senator/Representative). I am calling about the case of Eliseo Jimenez, a father of four

who is currently in sanctuary at my church while his attorney argues his case to fight his deportation. As a constituent, I urge

Senator (Name of Senator/Representative) to use his position as an influential member of Congress to do all he can to help

us win a stay of deportation for Eliseo so he can remain with his family. His partner and young children need him. As a per-

son of faith and a voter, I urge Senator (Name of Senator/Representative) to use his influence and position to help keep this

family together. Thank you.

Tillis Office Numbers: (202) 224-6342 (DC); (919) 856-4630 (Raleigh)

Burr Office Numbers: (202) 224-3154 (DC); (800) 685-8916 (Winston-Salem)

Price Office Numbers: (202)225-1784 (DC); (919)859-5999 (Raleigh)

Do you like to write? Please consider sending a letter to the editor or opinion piece to local media outlets.

From the National Sanctuary Movement: “LTEs and Op-Eds offer an excellent way to humanize the struggle for

immigration justice. Remember that opinion pieces in particular are more likely to be published when they speak to personal

experience and stories. They offer a strong alternative narrative and the power of a moral voice when they are grounded in our

faith commitments.”

Newcomers & Inquirers Session for All Curious People

Membership & Publicity Committee hosts a 30-minute session immediately following the worship service in the

church library on the first Sunday of each month. There will be a short presentation of the history of the UCC as

well as information about Umstead Park United Church of Christ.

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in our wider community

caroling

Christmas Caroling & Cookies -December 17

Start tuning up your best Christmas Carol voice, because on December 17 at 5:30 p.m. we will gather at UPUCC to walk

to Healing Transitions for a fun evening of singing and cheer with the women there. The more the merrier! Join us and get

to know friends from UPUCC and Healing Transitions while singing some of your favorite Christmas Carols. Please bring

cookies to share - bake or buy your favorites and bring them along. Get ready to have a wonderful evening!

By Langston Hughes. Directed by Deb Royals.

December 16 at 3pm and 8pm

December 17 at 3pm and 7pm December 18 at 7pm

Tickets email thejusticetheaterproject@gmail.com or call 919-264-7089

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Sun. Dec. 3 9:00 a.m. Worship Space Décor Task Force in the small conference room.

9:30 a.m. Forum: What Does Your Faith Mean to You? See page six.

10:30 a.m. Worship & Communion: “Hope: Our Best Selves Emerging,” Doug Long preaching.

Following worship Newcomers & Inquirers Session in the library.

Following worship Garden Space Task Force in the small conference room.

12:00 p.m. UPUCC Advocacy Task Force in the large conference room.

Tues. Dec. 5 9:30 a.m. Creativity Group meets in the library.

Wed. Dec. 6 7:00 p.m. UPUCC Choir rehearsal in the worship space.

Sat. Dec. 9 9:00 a.m. Children’s Christmas Program rehearsal in the worship space.

10:00 a.m. Meditation Group meets in the library.

Sun. Dec. 10 9:30 a.m. Committee Meeting Time. Childcare provided in the nursery.

10:30 a.m. Worship & Children’s Christmas Program: See page four.

Following worship Forum: Carolina (Organ) Donor Services in the library. See page six.

Following worship Youth meet.

Following worship Jubilee Musicians rehearsal in the worship space.

Mon. Dec. 11 6:30 p.m. Evening Creativity Group meets in the library.

Wed. Dec. 13 3:00 p.m. Creativity Group to Healing Transitions.

7:00 p.m. UPUCC Choir rehearsal in the worship space.

Thurs. Dec. 14 Midnight Deadline for January Newsletter.

Sat. Dec. 16 9:30 a.m. Yoga with Ellen Beidler in the worship space.

Sun. Dec. 17 9:30 a.m. Forum: Faith Journey- Beth Mastick. See page six.

10:30 a.m. Worship: “A Well of Great Joy,” Doug Long preaching.

12:00 p.m. Worship & Music Committee meet in the library.

4:00 p.m. Youth Tacky Christmas Party. See page three.

5:30 p.m. Caroling at Healing Transitions. See page 10.

Tues. Dec. 19 9:30 a.m. Creativity Group meets in the library.

7:00 p.m. Coordinating Council meets in the library.

Wed. Dec. 20 7:00 p.m. UPUCC Choir rehearsal in the worship space.

Sun. Dec. 24 10:30 a.m. Christmas Eve Morning Worship: “Perfect Love Casts Out Fear,” Doug Long preaching.

5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Worship: Lessons, Carols & Candles

Wed. Dec. 27 7:00 p.m. UPUCC Choir rehearsal in the worship space.

Sun. Dec. 31 10:30 a.m. Worship: “Janus: A Nod to the god of Transitions,” Doug Long preaching.

Please note: Contributions must be postmarked or donated online by

December 31 to be counted as a 2017 contribution.

Don’t forget to pick up your copy of Advent Sanctuary Reflections! See page two.

-Delight in humor and, through joyous celebration, savor the goodness of life.